Scrooge returns to Arviat
Drama club putting on A Christmas Carol
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Wednesday, November 16, 2016
ARVIAT
The John Arnalukjuak High School Drama Club is bringing back an old favourite for its annual holiday show with its production of the classic Charles Dickens' tale, A Christmas Carol.
Kevin Mikiyungniak (Scrooge) and Cheryl Nibgoarsi (nephew Fred), right, build chemistry together for their roles in the upcoming holiday play, A Christmas Carol, at John Arnalukjuak High School in Arviat this past week. - photo courtesy of Gord Billard |
It's the first time the club has performed the classic in the past 10 years.
Director Gord Billard said this will be the first time A Christmas Carol will be performed on the Arnalukjuak school stage, with the previous two productions being held in the older Qitiqliq school.
He said he was looking through a number of Christmas plays earlier this semester when he came across A Christmas Carol.
"When I realized how long it had been since we did this particular story, I felt it was time to do it on the newer stage and see what kind of a job we can do with it," said Billard.
"The kids liked the idea, so we went ahead with it."
The play will feature 30 roles, with a number of them being doubled-up for the actors.
Billard has a core group of eight young thespians who are taking on the major roles with the most lines in the tale, such as Scrooge, the ghost of Jacob Marley and the nephew, Fred.
He said he has two very strong actors in Justin Suluk, who played Santa in 2015, and Kevin Mikiyungniak reading for the lead role of Scrooge.
"The core group I have is fabulous.
"It's a group of students who have acted before and they're very strong.
"I have a couple of new Grade 9 actors who are really strong also.
"So we're getting some new blood in there, as well."
The troupe has been rehearsing A Christmas carol for about two months now.
Billard said he expects the shows will be held on Dec. 13 and Dec. 14.
"That's a Tuesday and a Wednesday, because we stay away from the bingo nights on Thursday and Friday.
"It's exciting to be revisiting A Christmas Carol, especially holding it on this stage for the first time.
"It's a classic tale and one the audience always seems to enjoy."
